Challenge Grant

Harbor House of Central Florida got a considerable boost this week in its campaign to build a pet shelter. The nonprofit anti-domestic-violence agency announced that Dr. Phillips Charities has awarded a $120,400 challenge grant for the ”Paws for Peace Kennel” - a facility that will allow survivors to bring their pets with them when escaping an abusive home. The challenge grant means Dr. Phillips Charities will match the value of every in-kind or cash donation made to the kennel project, up to $120,400.

The Andersons showed its community spirit this month with a $25,000 challenge grant to the Cass County 4-H Association for a project to renovate the fairgrounds' community center. The association has until Dec. 14 to raise the matching dollars through local fundraisers or new grants. Replacing the center's heating and cooling system, insulation and doors top the priority list for the project. After that, the committee plans to update the electrical wiring and replace the roof.

While serving as an Air Force captain during the Vietnam War, Ronald Dowdy saw firsthand how the American Red Cross helped wounded service people. It was something the Orlando developer never forgot. Last year, Dowdy and his wife, Mary Ellen, issued a challenge to the community: Raise $100,000 for the Central Florida Red Cross in less than two months, and they would match it, dollar for dollar. The challenge grant attracted more than $140,000 in contributions, giving the organization more than $240,000 in donations.

Harbor House of Central Florida got a considerable boost this week in its campaign to build a pet shelter. The nonprofit anti-domestic-violence agency announced that Dr. Phillips Charities has awarded a $120,400 challenge grant for the ”Paws for Peace Kennel” - a facility that will allow survivors to bring their pets with them when escaping an abusive home. The challenge grant means Dr. Phillips Charities will match the value of every in-kind or cash donation made to the kennel project, up to $120,400.

While serving as an Air Force captain during the Vietnam War, Ronald Dowdy saw firsthand how the American Red Cross helped wounded service people. It was something the Orlando developer never forgot. Last year, Dowdy and his wife, Mary Ellen, issued a challenge to the community: Raise $100,000 for the Central Florida Red Cross in less than two months, and they would match it, dollar for dollar. The challenge grant attracted more than $140,000 in contributions, giving the organization more than $240,000 in donations.

With two weeks to go in its 1985 campaign, the Arts United Fund for Central Florida has raised nearly 75 percent of its $1.1 million campaign goal.Arts United is engaged in its third annual campaign to raise money for distribution to 14 Central Florida cultural organizations. Previous campaigns raised $1.1 million in 1983 and $1.3 million in 1984.Arts United Fund had raised $661,620 in pledges and donations as of Tuesday, two weeks prior to the April 30 conclusion of the eight-week drive.

Arts United Fund for Central Florida will kick off its fourth annual campaign today at a noon luncheon in downtown Orlando's Radisson Hotel.Arts United's goal is to raise $1.7 million from Central Florida businesses, individuals, foundations and governments during a two-month campaign, said executive director Alan Spence. Most of the money raised will be divided among 14 non-profit arts groups in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.''As an incentive to giving, six local companies have formed a challenge grant of $150,000,'' Spence said.

Three weeks into its fourth annual campaign, Arts United Fund for Central Florida already has raised $565,633 toward its $1.7 million goal.Arts United's 1986 goal is to raise $1.3 million from individuals, businesses and foundations by the end of April. It also expects to receive another $400,000 in contributions from county and city agencies in the fall. Money raised by the campaign will provide support for non-profit arts groups in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.''I'm very optimistic about the drive,'' said Alan Spence, executive director of Arts United.

This time last year, the arts were riding high in the Capitol as the Legislature approved the richest batch of arts grants in its history.But history is not repeating itself. Though science and historical museums may be the beneficiaries of a new $1 million fund, the arts in general are facing a struggle as the Legislature wrestles with a shortage of money.''Last year was the year of the arts,'' Florida Arts Council chairman Chris Miliotes told arts leaders from across the state who were in town for the annual Arts Day festivities last week.

The Florida Symphony Orchestra has been awarded a $100,000 challenge grant from the state Division of Cultural Affairs. This is the largest government grant the orchestra ever has received, according to George Alexsovich, the FSO's general manager.The state's challenge grant program is limited to two awards per year, each of $100,000. The other recipient this year is the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.But the FSO has a lot of work to do before it will receive any money. It must match the state funds on a 3-to-1 basis, according to JuDee Pettijohn, assistant director of the Division of Cultural Affairs, and this $300,000 must come from new or increased funding.

While serving as an Air Force captain during the Vietnam War, Ronald Dowdy saw firsthand how the American Red Cross helped wounded service people. It was something the Orlando developer never forgot. Last year, Dowdy and his wife, Mary Ellen, issued a challenge to the community: Raise $100,000 for the Central Florida Red Cross in less than two months, and they would match it, dollar for dollar. The challenge grant attracted more than $140,000 in contributions, giving the organization more than $240,000 in donations.

While serving as an Air Force captain during the Vietnam War, Ronald Dowdy saw firsthand how the American Red Cross helped wounded service people. It was something the Orlando developer never forgot. Last year, Dowdy and his wife, Mary Ellen, issued a challenge to the community: Raise $100,000 for the Central Florida Red Cross in less than two months, and they would match it, dollar for dollar. The challenge grant attracted more than $140,000 in contributions, giving the organization more than $240,000 in donations.

Sometimes even the most generous person has trouble deciding whether to give to a seemingly worthy cause.Is the need real or invented?Will the money actually go to the people who need it, or will most of it end up in the hands of paid staff?Will the money stay close to home or end up thousands of miles away?Those are legitimate questions, and Central Floridians are fortunate that the chief fund-raising arm for charities in this region can answer them confidently.The Heart of Florida United Way, which launches its annual fund-raising drive today, holds all the agencies it supports strictly accountable.

Bethune-Cookman College is among eight private black colleges chosen by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation of Flint, Mich., to receive a $500,000 Endowment Challenge Grant.It will help the college establish an endowment fund for student scholarships. The grant must be matched by the college to qualify for the funds. The college has until Sept. 30, 1993 to raise the full amount.William S. White, president and chief executive officer of the Mott Foundation, said most black colleges are handicapped by low endowments.

This time last year, the arts were riding high in the Capitol as the Legislature approved the richest batch of arts grants in its history.But history is not repeating itself. Though science and historical museums may be the beneficiaries of a new $1 million fund, the arts in general are facing a struggle as the Legislature wrestles with a shortage of money.''Last year was the year of the arts,'' Florida Arts Council chairman Chris Miliotes told arts leaders from across the state who were in town for the annual Arts Day festivities last week.

The Florida Symphony Orchestra has been awarded a $100,000 challenge grant from the state Division of Cultural Affairs. This is the largest government grant the orchestra ever has received, according to George Alexsovich, the FSO's general manager.The state's challenge grant program is limited to two awards per year, each of $100,000. The other recipient this year is the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.But the FSO has a lot of work to do before it will receive any money. It must match the state funds on a 3-to-1 basis, according to JuDee Pettijohn, assistant director of the Division of Cultural Affairs, and this $300,000 must come from new or increased funding.

The Andersons showed its community spirit this month with a $25,000 challenge grant to the Cass County 4-H Association for a project to renovate the fairgrounds' community center. The association has until Dec. 14 to raise the matching dollars through local fundraisers or new grants. Replacing the center's heating and cooling system, insulation and doors top the priority list for the project. After that, the committee plans to update the electrical wiring and replace the roof.

Bethune-Cookman College is among eight private black colleges chosen by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation of Flint, Mich., to receive a $500,000 Endowment Challenge Grant.It will help the college establish an endowment fund for student scholarships. The grant must be matched by the college to qualify for the funds. The college has until Sept. 30, 1993 to raise the full amount.William S. White, president and chief executive officer of the Mott Foundation, said most black colleges are handicapped by low endowments.

EG&G Inc., a Cocoa company handling ground support for Kennedy Space Center, has contributed $13,500 to the Challenger Scholarship Fund.State university system Chancellor Charlie Reed announced the award Thursday.The fund, operated by the state university system, was established in February to honor the astronauts who died on the space shuttle Challenger. It will provide scholarships of $5,000 a year for two years for seven graduate students.Any graduate student enrolling in electrical engineering, aeronautical or aerospace engineering, education or physics is eligible.

Three weeks into its fourth annual campaign, Arts United Fund for Central Florida already has raised $565,633 toward its $1.7 million goal.Arts United's 1986 goal is to raise $1.3 million from individuals, businesses and foundations by the end of April. It also expects to receive another $400,000 in contributions from county and city agencies in the fall. Money raised by the campaign will provide support for non-profit arts groups in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.''I'm very optimistic about the drive,'' said Alan Spence, executive director of Arts United.